I was blessed to grow up with a wonderful family in Illinois. Eventually, I (very happily!) found my way to Southern California. I have developed a wonderful SoCal family over the years through teaching yoga, staying happy, being a cool friend and meeting inspiring people.

What are your hobbies?

I’m athletic, so most sports…anything that is genuinely fun! Fun for me is about the people I am with, but hiking, yoga, music, playing with my French Bulldog, and making Kombucha Tea are all at the top of my list. Recently I have been doing a lot of sound healing, learning about the different instruments like crystals, brass bowls, gongs and other sound tools used for what’s called a “Sound Bath”. Sound Baths are used to heal the body and deepen the mind’s ability to let go, meditate and heal. (Did you see the Super Bowl commercial with Jeff Bridges where he was sitting next to a person in bed and playing a brass bowl? That was kind of like a sound bath!) (Editor’s note: Amy is actually hosting a sound bath this Saturday, March 21sthere at The Green Yogi! Her and Fabian Rodriguez will use about 20 different instruments to help give you the sensation of deep relaxation. Jeff wont be at this event…at least we don’t think so…but you never know!)

How did you get started with yoga?

When I moved to Marina Del Rey I didn’t have any girlfriends in town. A new neighbor knocked on my door and invited me to join her for yoga at Brian Kest Power Yoga in Santa Monica. This was about 15 years ago and yoga wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now. I realized over time (once I could touch my toes!) I was changing for the better. Needless to say, eventually I realized I was literally head-over-heals for this thing called yoga! I’m calmer, clear-minded, stronger, and more flexible now. Plus, the community is so great – I have tons of new friends because of it.

What pose was most challenging for you to learn?

Hands-down, handstand. I have so much respect for yogis who can do arm balances because I realize how much hard work and perseverance it takes to master them. If you want to master handstand, practice everyday. Slowly start to hold the pose for up to a minute. It’s like learning to walk; enjoy the falling and getting back up!

What inspires you?

Growth. People and events that help us realize we’re never “done”. (Once we check one thing off our list, another inevitably pops up!) Those who can deal with hard blows in life and still be inspired to move on. Those who have had a charmed life and always have a smile and kind a heart. Life inspires me. When I realize I can do better at something, I get up and do it. Check out this Ted Talk if you need a dose of inspiration:

What are your classes like? What’s your teaching style?

My style is based around motivating, challenging and inspiring my students! I use inspiration and knowledge to help you achieve a pose you may not have thought possible. I design classes to gradually help you get into a difficult pose through repetitive movements that open the body. My strength is knowing what you are feeling and helping you get past any blocks you may have. I think my classes are awesome. (Editor’s note: So do WE!)

I am a very diverse Master Yoga Instructor. I have over a 1000 hours of training in Vinyasa Power Yoga, Yin/Restorative, Meditation, Pranic Healing, Prenatal, Therapuetics, Chakra and energy work, Sound Healing and Athletic Yoga. It’s such an honor to have been The LA Kings Hockey Team yoga instructor during their 2014 Stanley Cup Champsionship season.

What’s your favorite quote?

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”― Dalai Lama XIV

Do you have any inspiring stories/moments from your teaching or practice?

The real joy is watching the daily growth of the people around me. A student of mine, Soo, learned Bakasana, an arm balance. She is pictured below at the age of 70. She started in my yoga classes a few years ago and within a year she mastered Bakasana. It’s never to late to learn a new trick! Soo is inspiring to me. She doesn’t only take my power yoga classes; you might even find her in a tabata class! She reminds me that we’re never too old to act on our inspirations and GO FOR IT!